A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Conquering that Marketing Monster

Guest post by Lois W. Stern

Writing our books is the fun part, as it challenges our creativity, satisfying a need for self-expression. But marketing our books . . . that’s a whole different story. I call it the marketing monster! Many internet sites are out there to help us slay that dragon, but I’d like to share three little gems that you might have overlooked.

Hold on for a second. Before we begin, I want you to build yourself a promotional template. It will take a little time, and you won’t need all of these items for each venue, but trust me, in the long run, it will be a real time saver.

The publishers have agreed to offer a 50% discount for readers of this blog who sign up by the end of this calendar year. By using Code LWS2015, you will be charged only $24.95 for the lifetime exposure for each of your books (normally $49.95). Note: Since there are no annual renewal fees, this is quite a bargain.

Then click on the words: I’m an author, I want to learn more to promote your book.

The Next Best Thing, sent to me by Linda Maria Frank, host of The Writer’s Dream LTV Show, is both free and a clever original. It is set up more or less like a blog tour, to help market yourself while helping your fellow authors. The basic idea is to respond to ten questions about your published or about-to-be-published book, while submitting your headshot and book cover images. Follow these directions carefully and click here to see how I set up my page.

Note: I will limit my blog tour to the first ten people who respond. It’s free but I will only have space to include the first ten authors who follow every step of the directions, so read carefully.

Please use the comment area below to share one great marketing tip or lesser known website you have discovered to help conquer that marketing monster.

About the author

Author Lois Stern

My first two books focused on physical beauty: Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery (with sound advice and personal emotional undercurrents to cosmetic surgery) and Tick Tock, Stop the Clock ~ Getting Pretty on Your Lunch Hour(with chapters written by eleven nationally renowned experts and outstanding practitioners, detailing many of the most current minimally invasive beauty procedures).

Then my writing career took a seemingly sharp turn as I began to focus on inspiring stories, stories to touch the heart and soul. But in truth this was not a new interest for me as I always had a special appreciation for feel-good stories that reach the inner spirit, inspire, motivate, make us question. I started to develop this idea further as I initiated a Tales2Inspire™ ‘Authors Helping Authors’ project/contest, and with contributing stories from other talented writers, have begun a series of inspiring story anthologies. I have now published the first four of these little jewel books: the Emerald, Topaz, Sapphire and Ruby collections, with more on the way. Each book is enhanced by the inclusion of original photos and drawings.

If you think you might be interested in participating in Tales2Inspire™, do visit my website and click on the word CONTEST for details. Winning authors receive an incredible number of platform building opportunities. And isn’t that what all talented authors are seeking? DISCOVERY!

Wonderful blog on a much needed subject. Lois Stern is my editor, my mentor, my friend and has helped me publish in countless ways. Having a story in her Tales2Inspire is an honor and pleasure. I think she will admit that I make her want to pull her hair out with my lack of tech skills, yet she sees me always as a work in progress. Thanks, Bette for letting more writers know about this great woman.

Nina Soden is the newest author to be spotlighted on my NEXT BIG THING page (one of the suggestions I made in my “Conquering the Marketing Monster” article.) Congratulation, Nina, on following those directions just perfectly. You can see THE NEXT BIG THING in action at: http://tales2inspire.com/?p=1617
Five down and Five to go. Please note, I only have room for a total of ten authors on that page. Looking forward to posting the next five!

Great advice. Thanks! 😉 ❤
You are so right to call it a monster. I've had my toughest times when my work was out to the editor, with the formatter/uploader and then when the book was out.
I had hired a publicist, then cancelled her the 3rd month. I finally hired her back when I decided it is worth everything to have someone else in charge of marketing as I was misunderstood by many. People don't misunderstand her the way they do me. It has turned out to be a real blessing as, since she is local, she also gets me out there involved in author panels and other activities that I have no idea how to make happen myself.
At least my family got on board once the book was out, which doesn't happen to everyone.
Glad there are authors out the willing to share their insight too.
Sherrie
Do you know a/b my debut novel "Secrets & Lies in El Salvador"? A young American woman goes to war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
My husband made a video about the novel. He wrote the song too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P11Ch5chkAc

Bette, with so many accolades on this article (for which I am eternally grateful), it will be interesting to see which authors step up to the plate and follow through with some of these ideas. I’ll be watching and cheering you on.